Eastern White Cedar (Arborvitae) vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Eastern White Cedar (Arborvitae) vs Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Thuja occidentalis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Empress Tree
Eastern White Cedar (Arborvitae)

The Empress Tree is a fast growing, ornamental shade tree. It has purple, fragrant flowers that are quite attractive. The flowers emerge before the leaves in early spring. The leaves of this tree can grow very large, up to 30 cm long.

As one of the fastest growing trees in the world, this tree has been given considerable attention for carbon sequestration projects. It drops many seeds which can make it invasive in warmer climates. Please do some research and plant the right tree in the right place.

The Empress tree’s genus name comes from Princess Paulowna, daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia.

Eastern White Cedar is a slender growing conifer often used as a decorative tree or a hedge. This tree is an effective privacy screen even in winter and a great long term solution to urban crowding or a drab yard.

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Eastern White Cedar (Arborvitae) Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 2b
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Bark: gray to reddish brown, flat connected ridges
Flowers: light purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia
Other Names: american arborvitae, eastern arborvitae, northern white cedar